Dictionary > Mechanoreceptor

Mechanoreceptor

Definition
noun, plural: mechanoreceptors
A sensory receptor chiefly in the skin or in the body surface of an organism used for the sense of touch and detection of external stimuli such as mechanical pressure or distortion.
Supplement
Mechanoreceptors are one of the neural receptors in a somatosensory system. They are primarily involved in recognizing different mechanical stimuli. Example is the touch receptor in the skin.
Insects are popular example of group of organisms with specialized structures for mechanoreception. They have three major types of mechanoreceptors:

  • cuticular mechanoreceptor
  • chordotonal mechanoreceptor
  • stretch mechanoreceptor

Word origin: Greek mēkhano- , from mēkhanē, (machine) + receptor
Also called:

  • mechanicoreceptor

Compare with other receptors in somatosensory system:

  • thermoreceptor
  • proprioceptor
  • nociceptor
  • See also:

    Mentioned in:

  • Muscle spindle
  • Somatosensory system
  • Mechanoreflex


  • You will also like...

    Sugar Homeostasis
    Sugar Homeostasis

    The blood sugar level is regulated by two hormones. The mechanism behind this type of negative feedback control is descr..

    Gene Pool and Speciation
    The Gene Pool and Population Genetics

    According to Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection, preferable genes are favored by nature in the gene pool, and ..

    green plant cells
    Plant Cells vs. Animal Cells

    Plant cells have plastids essential in photosynthesis. They also have an additional layer called cell wall on their cell..

    An artistic depiction of Dunkleosteus fish
    Fish

    The sea was teeming with life. Eventually, through reproduction and continued variation, fish came about. There are over..

    Neurology of Illusions
    Neurology of Illusions

    Illusions are the perceptions and sensory data obtained from situations in which human error prevents us from seeing the..

    Protein (illustration)
    Protein Variety

    The sequence of amino acids determines the type of protein. Protein is synthesized according to the sequence of nucleoti..

    Related Articles...

    No related articles found

    See all Related Topics